The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Gordon Van Gelder, ed.

2010 World Fantasy Award nominee

Collecting more than two dozen stories that appeared for the first time in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction—the premiere speculative fiction magazine—this extraordinary anthology celebrates sixty years of top-notch genre fiction. Many of these highly acclaimed, award-winning authors’ careers were jump-started by their appearances in Fantasy & Science Fiction.

The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction

by Gordon Van Gelder, ed.

ISBN: 9781892391919

Published: 2009

Available Format(s): Trade Paperback

Collecting more than two dozen stories that appeared for the first time in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction—the premiere speculative fiction magazine—this extraordinary anthology celebrates sixty years of top-notch genre fiction. Many of these highly acclaimed, award-winning authors’ careers were jump-started by their appearances in Fantasy & Science Fiction.

“Still the gold standard for short fiction in America.”
—Stephen King

“Fantasy & Science Fiction editor Van Gelder has assessed, culled, and organized the magazine’s best stories to produce this definitive volume of work from speculative fiction’s top authors, from Alfred Bester’s ‘Of Time and Third Avenue’ (1951) to Ted Chiang’s ‘The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate’ (2007). Hauntingly sad tales are laid alongside hopeful tales of the far future and heroic tales of honor and duty, but all have an intensity of emotion and draw the reader in with vibrant characters, fully realized settings, and ingenious writing. Van Gelder’s introductory disclaimer that this contains ‘two dozen of our best stories’ rather than the best two dozen stories may explain the lack of inclusions from the 1980s. For sheer reading pleasure, this anthology is unparalleled.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This collection marks the 60th anniversary of one of science fiction and fantasy’s leading publications, gathering together 23 of the magazine’s best stories—though editor Gordon Van Gelder writes that he feels as if he has taken a few chunks off the top of an iceberg and claimed to have represented its entire mass. Contributors include the familiar—Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King—alongside authors better known to genre aficionados, such as James Tiptree, Jr., Michael Swanwick, and Terry Bisson. Among the highlights are Daniel Keyes’s ‘Flowers for Algernon,’ in which Charlie Gordon has his intelligence artificially increased, and Ted Chiang’s ‘The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate,’ which marries time travel with Arabian Nights–style fable. The word ‘classic’ could justifiably be applied to many stories in this volume, which, as a tribute to the magazine and an introduction to some of the finest authors of fantasy, SF, and horror, is a landmark anthology.”
—The Guardian

“For a long time, F&SF (as the magazine is known in the trade) has been a leader in expanding the terrain of speculative fiction. Judging from this volume, it intends to continue in this role.”
—Roland Green, Booklist

“The Best From Fantasy & Science Fiction: The Fiftieth Anniversary Anthology is a wonderful celebration of the recent history of one of science fiction’s great magazines.”—SciFi.com

“I’m so envious of those of you who might be reading some of these for the first time. I was repeatedly blown away by the impact such short pieces…still had on me. Half an hour’s reading, and I spent the next day or so catching myself staring off into space muttering, ‘Oh wow.’”
—io9.com

“…this is a rare treasure that compiles some of the best genre stories over the past six decades, and through it, we witness the field’s history and growth.”
—Bibliophile Stalker

“…I dropped everything to read it.”
—Black Gate

“I cannot picture any fan of either fantasy or science fiction not liking this book. Perhaps the only reason to stay away is if you have all the stories in it already. But if, like me, several of them are missing from your collection, what are you waiting for? Buy it.”
—Visions of Paradise

“…the contents are sheer pleasure, full of classics that feel as comfortable as an old sweater.”
—Bookgasm

“…this is a high-quality anthology showcasing the diversity of Fantasy &Science Fiction’s stories over the past six decades. It shows that short genre fiction has always had the power to surprise and excite, and it proves that this remains just as true today as it has ever been.”
—SF Crowsnest

“Every story is a priceless gem showcasing its author’s superlative craftsmanship and ability to engage the emotions while captivating the imagination.”
—Booklist

“There’s something for everyone in this amazing anthology, and it will certainly provide hours of entertainment for anyone who reads it.”
—San Francisco Book Review

“Spanning six decades (1951-2007), The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction: 60th Anniversary Anthology is an all-star cast of short stories the genre can be proud of.”
—Speculition

Gordon Van Gelder has been the editor of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1996. As an editor at St. Martin’s Press for twelve years, he worked with such writers as Christopher Priest, George Pelecanos, and Kate Wilhelm. Van Gelder has received the Hugo, World Fantasy, and Locus awards.